This year, I decided to get my own beehives so that I could learn more about bees and everything related to this wonderful world. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for several years. I had a few empty hives and some beekeeping equipment, so all I needed was some swarms to get started on this fascinating adventure!
As I have been buying beeswax from beekeepers for eight years and enjoy chatting with them, I have had many conversations about beekeeping in general and have had a few opportunities to try it out for myself: I have made a few visits in the spring and harvested lavender honey.
The reception of the colonies
While chatting with Sophie, a beekeeper from Temps DZ Abeilles at the Christmas market in Douarnenez (Finistère), she told me that she sold bee colonies and that I could place an order in early spring. In April, I dropped off my two hives, and then, a few weeks later, she arranged to meet me in a car park to collect them.
And from there… the adventure begins! I put on my beekeeper’s suit, and we load the two hives into… my camper van! The door is quite narrow and the roof of the hive lets a few bees escape, so here come my first stings! It feels good, as they say 😀 We secure the hives so that they don’t move during transport, Sophie gives me some valuable beekeeping advice, tells me that I can contact her if I have any questions, and now I’m hooked on the fascinating world of bees.
Setting up the hives
A friend lent me a piece of land in Penmarch’, not far from my workshop, so that I could set up my beehives. Beehives are always moved at night because that way the foragers are back in the hive and we can be sure we haven’t forgotten anyone! So it was at night, with a headlamp, that I arrived and set up my two beehives.
In the weeks that followed, I carried out various tasks and visits to help them, give them more space, make their work easier, etc. Examples of these tasks include installing new frames with embossed wax, insulating the hives, changing the openings, installing hornet traps, etc.
Learning
After a few weeks, I had the chance to meet a very friendly beekeeper who took the time to help me with certain tasks and taught me a lot about how to properly manage beehives. He also lent me a book, “La ruche basse consommation d’énergie” (The Low-Energy Hive) by Marc Guillemain, and I built floors, roofs, insulating partitions, etc. to adopt this innovative method of beekeeping.
To be continued…
My beekeeping adventure is just beginning, but one thing is certain: I am passionate about it! I am preparing my hives for winter and plan to have more next year! See you soon for the next instalment 😀
